Globus
OFFER ID 1517530
This Globus Escape vacation in Spain and Portugal brings together the sights and cultures of their most famous cities-Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Lisbon-and weaves them into one marvelous vacation. Barcelona has so much to offer, during your guided sightseeing see the Sagrada Familia Basilica, Gaudi’s still unfinished masterpiece and explore the charming Barrio Gotico. In Madrid, visit the famous Prado Museum, one of the world's most prestigious art museums. A guided walking tour in Cordoba showcases the sights, including a visit to the magnificent 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs. In Seville, visit the Casa de Pilatos, with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures.
In Seville, enjoy dinner with local specialties and Flamenco entertainment, and in Lisbon, a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Throughout this Spain and Portugal vacation, you'll be accompanied by an expert Tour Director and Local Guides who will bring these destinations to life with in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the cities' histories, sights, cultures, and insider secrets. Magnificent churches and cathedrals, local specialties, and wine, and much more...what else could you ask for in a dream vacation and guided tour of Spain’s famous cities and Lisbon?
8 nights from $1,549 per person
Spain & Portugal Escape
Day 1 ARRIVE IN BARCELONA, SPAINWelcome to Barcelona! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 BARCELONAGaudi’s Showcase BARCELONA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, Passeig de Grcia and a photo stop at the Sagrada Familia. Continue on for a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS It won’t take long for you to realise why the motto “Barcelona Inspires” is true. This lively city has so much to offer, from vibrant markets to delicious dishes. This stunning city is a spectacular showcase for Antonio Gaudí’s architectural works of art. Known as “God’s architect,” Gaudí began designing lampposts before designing some of Barcelona’s most famous buildings—the Casa Batló and Casa Mil on the Passeig de Gracia, and the jaw dropping Sagrada Familia - the iconic unfinished church which has become the world’s longest-running construction site!
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Day 3 BARCELONA–MADRIDSplendid Spain Scenic drive through the Catalonian and Aragonian countryside en route to Madrid. (B)
385mi/620 km
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE The city of Madrid is filled with intriguing stories and hidden secrets. Stroll around the streets and take pictures of “El Oso y el Madrono” (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree), the biggest symbol of the city. Don’t forget to see the statue of the Fallen Angel, representing Lucifer, the Angel who was expelled from Heaven for rebelling against God.
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Day 4 MADRIDMasterpieces in Madrid MADRID Guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain, and Calle Alcala. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Prado Museum houses one of the world’s largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.
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Day 5 MADRID–CORDOBA–SEVILLETreasures of Cordoba CORDOBA Guided walking tour includes the Mosque of the Caliphs. Free time to browse before departing for Seville. (B)
354mi/570 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE The Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic cathedral but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar-Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque’s architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower – the tallest structure in the city.
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Day 6 SEVILLEDance Steps in Seville SEVILLE Guided sightseeing includes the Casa de Pilatos and a walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter. [LF] Dinner includes local specialties at El Palacio Andaluz restaurant with Flamenco entertainment. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Feed the gypsy within you with the soulful sounds and steps of the Flamenco. You’ll see the very best display of this passionate Flemish dance performed by award-winning dancers who’ll add some spice to your dinner at El Palacio Andaluz restaurant in Seville. Ole!
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Day 7 SEVILLE–LISBON, PORTUGALLyrical Lisbon A scenic drive en route to Lisbon.
LISBON Free time this evening. (B)
273 mi/440 km
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Stroll the cobblestone alleys of Lisbon’s charming Alfama district, the popular quarter of seamen and Fado singers. Fado is a style of Portuguese folk music, with distinct Moorish and African influences, it is played in the traditional Fado restaurants and can be enjoyed while tasting local specialties.
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Day 8 LISBONSoaring Sights & Seafarers LISBON Guided sightseeing includes Jeronimo’s Monastery and its Cloister and a photo stop at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Lisbon is home to the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos, adorned with its 100-foot façade featuring images of St. Michael the Archangel and Our Lady of Belém. See the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress but also as an embarkation point for sailors and was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries pays homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
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Day 9 LISBONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Flamenco Gastronomic Experience
Overview: Step beyond the ordinary on your Madrid journey and experience the world's most famous and only Flamenco tablao in a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. Featuring award-winning artists recognized in Spain and at the top flamenco festivals, immerse yourself in an exclusive and extraordinary Flamenco gastronomic Journey.
Duration: 1 Hour
Overview: Feel at home in Madrid, hosted by a local Madrilene who will introduce you to authentic Spanish culture. With a background in haute cuisine, your Chef invites you for an intimate meal at her splendid elegant flat in the Salamanca district, one of Madrid's most elegant and glamorous neighborhoods. Relax and unwind as you savor a mouthwatering meal prepared with dedication, and love, feeling as if you were in the comfort of your own home.
Duration: 2 Hours
An Exploration of Lisbon (8 hours)
Highlights:
Lying north of the River Tagus estuary and stretching over seven hills, Portugal's capital city has much to offer. Receive a warm welcome at the port by your private guide and driver and from here commence your engaging tour of Lisbon.
Explore the Belem district with its magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, an extraordinary example of Portugal's 'Manueline' style of architecture. Once populated by monks, the UNESCO-listed monastery was commissioned by King Manuel I to celebrate Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India in 1498. Time permitting, visit Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), one of Lisbon's most iconic buildings and symbolic of Portugal's great Age of Expansion.
Next, it's time for a refreshment stop, where you may wish to sample the famous and scrumptious Pastéis de Belém (Portuguese custard tarts). From here you return to your cruise ship.
Queluz, Sintra and Estoril (8 hours)
Highlights:
Venture outside of Lisbon to explore Queluz, Sintra and Estoril during your private shore excursion. Take the short driver to the sumptuous 18th-century Queluz Palace, where you can admire the magnificent formal gardens and azulejo-lined canals.
Afterwards visit Sintra, the summer retreat of Portuguese monarchs and Moorish emirs before them. Today, this town, nestling on the north side of the Sintra Mountain, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stroll through the town where charming streets are filled with fine handicraft shops. You then descend to Guincho beach for a fabulous view of Cape Rock, the westernmost point of the European continent and continuing to the resort town of Estoril on the scenic coastal road with fantastic views, en route back to your cruise ship.
Highlights of Lisbon (4 hours)
Highlights:
See Belem Tower, one of Lisbon's iconic buildings and symbolic of the nation's Age of Expansion. Admire the impressive collection of painted and gilded Baroque coaches at the National Coach Museum.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Historic Influences of Seville (8 hours)
Highlights:
Explore the vibrant heart of Andalucía during your full day shore excursion today. You receive a warm greeting by your driver at the port in Cádiz prior to your private transfer to Seville (a 2-hour journey approximately). Upon arrival, you will be met by your expert guide who will take you on an absorbing walking tour.
Visit the 15th-century Cathedral, one of the most breath-taking in all of Christendom. Your guide also shows you Seville's most famous monument, the Moorish tower of La Giralda. Other highlights of your tour include the Alcazar, a magnificent 14th-century Mudejar palace and the labyrinth of streets and squares of the Barrio de Santa Cruz which are delicately perfumed with orange blossom. This area is the old Jewish Quarter and every street and courtyard offers a new story that your guide will bring to life for you. After your tour, your driver transfers you back to your ship in Cádiz.
An Immersion into the World of Olive Oil
Overview: Enjoy a private guided visit to an Olive oil producer led by a family member. Learn the olive oil production process from the olive fields to the final product. Pamper your taste buds with a comparative tasting of extra virgin olive oils. Witness a passionate family tradition and the careful process of olive oil extraction, the “Liquid Gold” of Andalusia. Delight with a gourmet tasting and lunch served in one of the oil mill's private rooms.
Duration: 1H30
Quintessential Brave Bull Breeding Journey
Overview: Embark on an exclusive journey and explore one of Spain's most prestigious bull-breeding ranches. Discover the vital role bull farming plays in Spain's ecological and cultural heritage. Experience the life and care of the noblest and majestic toro bravos. Unveil the ranch's facilities, from the pasture where the animals graze, breed, and rear their offspring to the bullring, where young bulls are assessed for fighting potential.
Duration: 1H30
Overview: Discover Seville from another point of view. Indulge in a private Guadalquivir river cruise while glimpsing Seville's most beautiful panoramas, including the historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Observe Triana's picturesque 19th-century famous houses and enchanting bridges. Delight your senses with a premium selection of local tapas.
Duration: 1H30
Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)
Highlights:
An architectural delight awaits you today in Barcelona, one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Receive a warm greeting at the port by your private guide and driver and commence your full-day tour with a visit to Gaudi's masterpiece, the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be complete until 2028!
Next, visit Parc Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's most colourful creations. Continue along Passeig de Gracia, to view Gaudi's Casa Batlló and Casa Mila from the outside, with its brilliant wave-like façade.
After lunch, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the true heart of the city - the medieval Gothic Quarter. Here you will visit the magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum, where some of the painter's earliest works are housed. At the end of your tour you are transferred back to the port.
Highlights:
Receive a warm greeting at the port from your private guide and driver and commence your half-day tour with a visit to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece; the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be completed until 2028!
Continue on to Parc Guell, a beautiful municipal garden with a superb panoramic view over the city; the focal point is a colourful sea-serpent-shaped central terrace. Visit the gatehouse where Gaudi lived during his later years which is now a museum dedicated to him. Transfer back to the port at the end of your tour.
Overview: Uncover the most authentic side of Barcelona riding the world's best folding bike, a Brompton. Be led by an expert bike guide and venture into a unique and exclusive experience. Connect with your local guide by sharing and listening to trivia stories about Barcelona. Embark on a ride to explore the least touristy Eixample and Gracia districts. Glimpse the Plaça d'Espanya, the Hospital de la Santa Creu, Sant Pau, and modernist estates.
Duration: 3 Hours
Overview: Experience the thrill of sailing the Barcelona Coastline. Glimpse the Barcelona skyline from a different perspective and spot some landmarks, including Frank Gehry Golf Fish Sculpture and the Twin Towers", Torres Venecianas. Immerse yourself in the serene deep blue while seeping your glass of wine. Weather permitting, anchor and venture in a short swim.
Duration: 4 Hours
Overview: Uncover the dedication of a biodynamic winegrowers family committed to excellence in long-aged wines. Venture on a stroll around the winery's iconic vineyards to discover the distinctive features of a unique spot in the Penedès region. Sheltered by the woods, taste a base wine paired with a light snack. Elevate your experience by savoring three long-aged sparkling wines, a limited-edition white wine, and an extra-virgin olive oil.
Duration: 4 Hours
From Market to Home with a Top Chef
Overview: Led by a top Chef who graduated from the prestigious Cordon Bleu School in Paris, embark on an exclusive gourmet journey at her private penthouse. Head to a 19th-century local market and thoroughly select the finest ingredients for your recipe. Dare to partake in the cooking process while you uncover some secrets of high-end cuisine. Savor the combination of flavors paired with a premium selection of Spanish Wines.
Duration: 4 Hours
Hike a World of Nature (7,5 miles)
Overview: Step away from the bustling Barcelona and embrace Catalonia's unique landscape with La Garrotxa and Fageda d'en jordà. Venture into an exciting 7,5 miles hike through the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa. Engage in a circular route through La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. Ascend to the inside of Santa Margarita volcano and discover a chapel lying on its crater. Dive into Fageda d'en Jordà, a unique beech forest that grows on the lava flow of Croscat Volcano. Finalize your trail with a stop at the Croscat Volcano grederes.
Duration: 4 Hours
Montserrat Discovery Hike (5 miles)
Overview: Ancient Wonders and hidden gems await you on the famous needles of Montserrat Mountain. Venture into an exciting and intimate hike connecting you to Montserrat's outlandish and most authentic elements. Uncover the region of Agulles and the north face of Montserrat, passing between the needles, having to take some steps climbing ropes, and ending up visiting emblematic places such as Cadireta or Foradada.
Duration: 4 Hours
Overview: Marvel at Montserrat Mountain's impressive scenic views. With a bird' s-eye view, witness these massive conglomerates, which form unexpectedly imposing sculptures due to their geological evolution. They all have names related to their shapes, and we find caves, chasms, and torrents in their shelter.
Flying over the Montserrat mountain, the spiritual Center of Catalonia is undoubtedly one of the most surprising and impressive experiences.
Duration: 1 Hour
Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours
Your chauffeur and your guide will
be waiting for you at the port. They will be at disposal for 8 hours. Your chauffeur will drive you to the city center of Barcelona.
A Walk Through Barcelona
You will start your day by an exciting 2-hour walking tour of the oldest parts of Barcelona: the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. You will follow your guide as he/she leads you into the small, narrow streets to discover the vibrant, trendy ambiance of Born and the historical atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. You will see the Santa Maria Del Mar church, the Royal Palace and the world famous “Las Ramblas” avenue. The fun facts and stories
told by our guide will keep your children highly engaged. The children will each get a game booklet to keep them engaged and entertained. After this tour, you will enjoy a
lunch break. Your guide will be there to give recommendations depending on your taste.
Included:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.